Virtues and characteristics:
This surah contains one of the verses in which the prostration of recitation (sujud At-Tilawah) is required. [274] More than one of the scholars narrated that there was consensus regarding that. See: Ibn Hazm: Maratib Al-Ijma?, p. 31; Tafsir Al-Qurtubi, 15/364; Ibn Hajar: Fat-h Al-Bari, 2/551.
It was narrated that Al-Muhallab ibn Abi Sufrah said: Someone who heard the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) told me that he said: If you are attacked at night, let your watchword be Ha-Mim; they will not prevail.? [275] Narrated via Abu Dawud, 2597; At-Tirmidhi, 1682; Ahmad, 16615.

Makki or Madani?
Surat Fussilat is Makki; more than one of the commentators narrated that there was consensus regarding that. [276] Those who narrated that there was consensus regarding that include: Ibn ?Atiyyah, Ibn Al-Jawzi and Al-Qurtubi. See: Tafsir Ibn ?Atiyyah, 5/3; Tafsir Ibn Al-Jawzi, 4/45; Tafsir Al-Qurtubi, 15/337.

Objectives:
The most important objectives of this surah include:
Establishing proof for the oneness and might of Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, and that this Quran is from Him Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted. [277] See: At-Tantawi: At-Tafsir Al-Wasit, 12/323.

Topics:
The most significant topics addressed in Surat Fussilat include:
1- Praising the Quran and highlighting its high status.
2- Highlighting the attitude of the disbelievers towards the Quran.
3- Mentioning some proof for the might of Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, such as the creation of the earth and what He has placed in it of mountains and measured out its sustenance; the creation of the seven heavens, and the adornment of the lowest of those heavens with the stars.
4- Warning the polytheists who turned away from listening to the Quran by mentioning what befell the disbelieving nations; mention of what befell Ad and Thamud of punishment in this world.
5- Some of the events of the Day of Resurrection; some aspects of the bad state in which the disbelievers will be on that day, such as when their limbs and faculties testify against them.
6- The situation of the believers and their good fate; the virtue of calling people to Allah and repelling evil with that which is good; the command to seek refuge with Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, from the promptings of the Shaytan.
7- A number of signs which point to the oneness of Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, and that He has the power to do all things, including the power to bring the dead back to life.
Consoling the Messenger (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him).
8- Establishing proof that this Quran is from Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, and refuting the polytheists? criticism of it.
9- Highlighting the vastness of Allah's knowledge; knowledge of when the Hour will begin belongs to Him alone.
10- The man's attitude at times of ease and hardship.
11- The surah ends with the statement that Allah's wisdom dictates that He should show people at all times some of His signs, on the horizon and in their own selves, so that it will become clear to them that the Quran is true.